What Does Gethsemane Mean?

 The word Gethsemane means olive press.  It is the name of a garden of olive trees on the western slope of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.  On the night before he was crucified, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples.  After the meal, singing hymns as they walked, they went through the old city of Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley and into the Garden of Gethsemane.  Taking Peter, James and John with him, Jesus went into the Garden to pray.  It was here that an angel came from heaven to offer him comfort, consolation and strength.  It was here that his sweat “fell to the ground like drops of blood.” (Luke 22:44)  After Jesus had finished praying Judas arrived with a group of soldiers and Jesus was arrested.

back to Who Are We